Who Wants to Be a Five Millionaire? 'X Factor' Reveals Biggest Prize in TV HistoryPosted Mon Feb 7, 2011 9:26am PST by Daniel Kreps in Amplifier

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Simon Cowell's upcoming reality singing competition, "The X Factor," and his old show, "American Idol," might seem nearly identical on the surface, but there are actually five million ways to differentiate the new project from the one he left behind: The sardonic British judge revealed on the official "The X Factor" website that the winner of the show's inaugural season will walk away with a Sony recording contract worth a cool $5 million. That sum represents the largest guaranteed prize in television history, so there's a lot more on the line here than a flimsy deal in the ailing music industry.

"I believe that America has the best talent in the world. I believe that with all my heart," Cowell said of "The X Factor," which debuts stateside in September 2011 (it has run in the U.K. since 2004). "If you win this competition -- I'm going to put my money where my mouth is -- it's a $5 million recording contract. That means the winner walks away with $5 million, guaranteed. Win this competition, it will change your life forever." Start flexing your vocal cords, because "The X Factor" auditions kick off in New York, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Seattle in March.

If the past few years of "American Idol" have proven anything, it's that winning the competition doesn't guarantee success: For every chart-topping champ like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson, there are even more "Idol" winners -- like David Cook, Taylor Hicks, Kris Allen, and most recently Lee DeWyze -- who haven't set the music world on fire. According to the New York Times, "Idol" finalists stand to earn about $1 million in the year following their season. However, considering that many "Idol" finalists fail to experience any sort of longevity, it's unlikely that most "Idol" winners would pocket $5 million in their career, making "X Factor" all the more enticing if you're a stargazing singer. "America's Got Talent" offers victors a $1 million prize, issued as an annuity, and "Survivor" also awards its "sole Survivor" $1 million, however most reality competitions -- like "Top Chef" and "Project Runway" -- give away between $100,000 and $250,000 in prizes.

The $5 million prize isn't the only difference between "X Factor" and "Idol": Whereas "Idol" pits one singer against another, "X Factor" will have a variety of acts, like solo artists and vocal groups, battling it out against one another. "Idol" requires that its contestants be between the ages of 15 and 28, while "X Factor" opens up the field to allow anyone from 12 to 112 years old. British sensation Susan Boyle, who has enjoyed more success than any "Idol" finalist from the past five seasons, could hypothetically audition for "X Factor" but not "Idol," so the talent pool -- and the chance to score that $5 million prize -- is wide open.

The conclusion of your cited article makes obvious sense, using the host of X-Factor UK to host X-Factor U.S. Note that the article was published on Sun May 2, 2010, so it should be old news although it apparently isn't.

I wouldn't necessarily consider it to be obvious that they would use the same host, I actually found it kind of odd. I guess it depends on different perspectives.

I for one don't really understand the process by which this show has been advertised. The idea of this was leaking a long time ago with the official announcement coming only recently. It would seem that they are trying to make this feel like new news for as long as possible by leaking months ahead and then making a big announcement during SB XLV.

I know people like to hate on Simon. I, however, saw some of the performances and clips from the UK version online and I thought this show seemed so much better than American Idol. I am hoping it has the same feel when it comes to the US. I am excited to see it.

Paula Abdul will reunite with Simon Cowell on The X Factor. Sources tell THR that Abdul's deal is finally done for her to join Cowell and previously announced judges Cheryl Cole and Antonio "L.A." Reid on the highly-anticipated singing competition, which begins taping its judges rounds on Sunday in Los Angeles and will debut on Fox in September.

The other two judges are Cheryl Cole from the British Xfactor and famous producer Antonio Reid.

I know people like to hate on Simon. I, however, saw some of the performances and clips from the UK version online and I thought this show seemed so much better than American Idol. I am hoping it has the same feel when it comes to the US. I am excited to see it.

I know people like to hate on Simon. I, however, saw some of the performances and clips from the UK version online and I thought this show seemed so much better than American Idol. I am hoping it has the same feel when it comes to the US. I am excited to see it.